About Cistanche phelypaea (L.) Cout.
Taxonomic Identity
Cistanche phelypaea (L.) Cout. is an obligate parasitic plant that produces no chlorophyll.
Stem Characteristics
It grows stout, fleshy flowering stems that reach 20–50 cm (7.9–19.7 in) tall, emerging from a typically swollen base. The stems are glabrous, and range in color from yellow to purple-gray.
Leaf Traits
Its leaves are ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, glabrous, and usually brown.
Inflorescence Structure
The inflorescence is dense and roughly cylindrical.
Flower Morphology
The flower crown is broadly campanulate-obconic, strongly curved, glabrous, and bright yellow, sometimes with a light purple tint, and it has white stigmatic lobes.
Chromosome Count
Chromosome counts for this species are 2n = 40 and n = 20.
Host Species
It parasitizes the roots of bushes in the plant family Chenopodiaceae.
Human Uses
The plant is used as a food source, and is eaten in a similar manner to asparagus.
Habitat Preferences
Cistanche phelypaea grows in saline, sandy habitats, mostly in coastal zones but also at inland sites, ranging from sea level up to 600 m (2,000 ft) in altitude.
Native Distribution
Its native distribution includes West Asia (Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Soqotra), Africa (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, Chad, Libya, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco), Southern Europe (Cyprus, Crete, Spain, Portugal), and Macaronesia (Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Savage Islands, Madeira).
Introduced Range
It has also been introduced to Mozambique and France.
